It is officially spring. And, even if it seems like many parts of the South are seeing more rain than sunshine, for those who love gardening, the season of seeing fresh new plant growth is officially here. However, if you also have pets, then you might want to give special thought to what type of plants will be safest for them.
Choosing Pet Friendly Plants
There is something wonderful about having beautiful green plants and a multitude of colorful flowers. But not every plant is safe for your pets. As a result, you will need to take special care to select those which are perfectly safe for both Fluffy and Fido. Here are some plants to consider as your plan your greenery both inside and outside the home.
Indoor Plants:
- Air Plants
- Areca Palm
- Baby Rubber Plants
- Baby’s Tears
- Bamboo Palm
- Bird’s Nest Fern
- Blue Echeveria (aka, hens and chicks)
- Boston Fern
- Burro’s Tail
- Cast Iron Plant
- Christmas Cactus
- Echeveria Lola
- Friendshop Plant
- Haworthia Zebra (related to aloe, but safe for pets)
- Lace Flower Vine
- Money Tree
- Parlor Palm
- Peperomia Green
- Polka Dot Plant
- Ponytail Palm
- Prayer Plant
- Spider plants
- Staghorn Fern
- Swedish Ivy
- Watermelon Plant
- Wax Plant
- Xerographica Air Plant
Outdoor Plants:
- African violets
- Alyssum
- Aster
- Black-eyed Susan
- Celosia
- Gerbera Daisy
- Hibiscus
- Impatiens
- Lipstick Plant
- Magnolia Bush
- Orchids
- Pansies
- Petunias
- Roses
- Snapdragons
- Sunflowers
- Sweet Potato Vine
- Zinnia
Plants Hazardous to Your Pet’s Health:
While this list is not totally inclusive, it will give you a place to begin. That stated, there are also plants you should avoid. Here are some to be sure are well out of your pets’ reach:
- Aloe Vera
- Birds of Paradise
- Chrysanthemum
- Cyclamen
- Daffodils
- Dieffenbachia
- English Ivy
- Foxglove
- Jade Plant
- Iris
- Lilies
- Oleander
- Poinsettia
- Sago Palm
- Tulip
- Wisteria
If your pets ingest any of these plants, you will be able to tell through symptoms such as the following:
- Agitation
- Black or bloody stools
- Bleeding gums
- Bleeding gums
- Dehydration
- Depression
- Drooling
- Loss of appetite
- Nosebleed
- Uncontrollable urination or thirst
- Vomiting
If you notice any of these symptoms and suspect that your pet has ingested a plant that is unsafe for them, contact your vet immediately!
So, don’t hesitate to fill your home or garden with gorgeous green plants and colorful flowers. Opt for some of the plants from this list and get ready to have a spring and summer that you and your pets can enjoy. And for those times when you need to get out of town – don’t forget to give us a call. We would love to keep your pet company! Contact our team today.